INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to determine factors, other than the Diagnostic Related Grouping (DRG), that can explain the variation in the cost of hospitalisation and length of hospital stay (LOS) in older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a prospective, observational cohort study involving 397 patients, aged 65 years and above. Data collected include demographic inform...

This study aims to develop and validate a new glacial lake inventory in order to gain an understanding of existing conditions. This is being done using optical imageries acquired by the Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) and the Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2) onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS, nicknamed ‘Daichi’). ...

This paper introduces the updated plans for sensor calibration and product validation of the Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM), which is to fly on the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) satellite that will be launched this Japanese fiscal year. PRISM is used to derive digital elevation models (DEMs) with very high spatial resolution, which is also one of th...

Aim of study: The ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus, is a vector of Japanese oak wilt, which causes massive mortality of oak trees in Japan. ALOS/AVNIR-2 true color images can be used to help detect areas of oak wilt, although such detection by inventory surveys is not realistic. Applying pan-sharpening techniques, a higher spatial resolution multispectral image can be generated from lower-...

As part of a Tanzanian-Norwegian cooperation project on Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) for REDD+, 2007-2011 Cand L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) backscatter data from Envisat ASAR and ALOS Palsar, respectively, have been processed, analysed and used for forest and forest change mapping over a study side in Liwale District in Lindi Region, Tanzania. Land cover observations fro...

With the launch of ALOS in 2006, JAXA took the initiative to implement the first global-scale systematic acquisition strategy for satellite sensors at fine (2.5m-20m) spatial resolution. Comprising all three sensors on ALOS (PALSAR, PRISM, AVNIR-2), the plan is designed to serve all ALOS user categories and aims at producing spatially and temporally consistent coverages over the planet on a rep...

The progress at the Copenhagen Conference of the Parties 15 (COP15) to include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in the post-Kyoto UNFCCC agreement manifested the demand for reliable remote sensing data streams to support tropical nation’s establishment of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to track forest carbon. ALOS...